A Free Gift

I had to bring our car in for a recall repair. They warned me it would be a 3-hour repair. Perfect: bring my bike in the car, bike home, and then return by bike when they were done. It was only a 35 minute bike ride each way, and a gorgeous day.

My daughter's bike was the easiest to grab out of the shed, and since we are roughly the same size, I thought I would ride it. But after a little test drive, I discovered it wouldn't shift gears. A lifetime ago, I could have easily repaired that myself, but now, no longer remembered how, and didn't want to mess her bike up. So I rode my bike to and from the dealer, thoroughly enjoying myself. And after driving home with my car all fixed, I loaded my daughter's bike and headed to the bike shop.

I hoped it wouldn't be too expensive. Rolling the bike in, the shop worker asked what was wrong. I explained, feeling sheepish. Like I said, I know it is an easy repair....He didn't laugh at me, but quickly adjusted the cable, and within two minutes, the bike was perfect. Then he raised the seat for me since my daughter has grown a few inches since she last rode the bike.

"What do I owe you?" I asked.
"Nothing!" he said.
"Are you sure?" I was incredulous. No one does anything for free anymore.
"Just drop us some coffee or pastry sometime," he laughed.
I intend to do just that.

I felt such a surge of goodwill. I will definitely use that bike place for the next major repair. I thought of the relief on the faces of the people this week that I have shared the Gospel with when I tell them the gift of eternal life is completely free. All we have to do is accept it. They are so sure there is a catch...we must have to earn it, or pay for it somehow. Nothing is ever free.

Nope. Salvation is. It cost us nothing, though of course, it cost Jesus everything.

I, for one, was not about to turn down a free gift. I thanked the bike shop owner with deep gratitude, and let him know he had just won my allegiance.
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1 Peter 4:10 

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Romans 11:29 

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Colossians 3:17 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 12:3-8 

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ...

2 Corinthians 9:15 

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!